Johnny Carson Trivia Quiz

Answer: Nebraska

Johnny Carson was born in 1925 in Iowa, but his family moved to Nebraska when Carson was a boy. Carson graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in radio / speech. Purdue University, located in Indiana, is known as the Boilermakers. Kansas University's nickname is the Jayhawks, and the University of Iowa is known as the Hawkeyes.

Answer: ABC

"Who Do You Trust?" was shown on the American Broadcasting Company between 1957 and 1963. Johnny Carson served as emcee of this game show for five years before he signed a contract to join NBC's "Tonight Show." After Carson left "Who Do You Trust?" in 1962, Woody Woodbury emceed the final year of the show. Ed McMahon replaced Bill Nimmo as the announcer of "Who Do You Trust?" in 1958, and the "dynamic duo" of Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon was born.

By the way, Fox Network didn't begin broadasting until about 1986.

Answer: Jack Paar

Johnny Carson took over as the host of the "Tonight Show" in October 1962, when Jack Paar decided to quit. Paar served as the host of the "Tonight Show" from 1957 to 1962; he revolutionized late night television with his witty monologues and interesting stories about the current events of the time.

Many TV critics felt that Carson would have "mighty big shoes to follow" after Paar left the "Tonight Show"- and Carson did a magnificent job of filling those shoes, as Paar's successor to the late night TV throne. Steve Allen hosted the "Tonight Show" from 1954 to 1957. Hugh Downs served as Jack Paar's announcer from 1957 to 1962.

Answer: Tea for Two

Johnny Carson was a master of the five-minute monologue. He poked fun at politicians and celebrities in his speeches, and he had self-deprecating charm when his jokes were not funny. When a monologue "bombed", the orchestra would begin to play "Tea for Two" and Carson would start doing a soft shoe dance routine.

The song "Tea for Two", written by Vincent Youmans and Irving Caesar, came from the 1925 musical "No, No, Nanette."

Answer: Carnac the Magnificent

"Carnac the Magnificent" was perhaps Johnny Carson's most popular character on the "Tonight Show". Carnac wore a huge turban and forecast the future; Ed McMahon played the role of straight man and introduced Carnac as the "great mystic from the East". McMahon would hand Carnac a sealed envelope and Carnac would magically reveal the message- example: "To the cleaners." Carnac would then reveal the answer to the question: "Where are Johnny Carson's wives taking him?" When the studio audience didn't laugh, Carnac would glare and then utter a curse such as, "May a diseased rhinoceros visit your family weekly!" Carnac the Magnificent made many appearances on the "Tonight Show".

Answer: Art Fern

Art Fern was a popular guest on the "Tonight Show". He spoke at rapid speed and tried to sell bogus products. His co-host was the lovely Carol Wayne, the Matinee Lady, who "assisted" Fern while the "Tea Time Movie" was playing. Fern would usually talk about a "fork in the road" and the "Slausen cutoff" while giving directions to a fake store as he was bantering about some "miracle cure".

The character Floyd R. Turbo was a moronic-looking hunter, Aunt Blabby was an elderly lady, and El Mouldo was a psychic character.

Answer: Fred de Cordova

Johnny Carson always made sure that the "Tonight Show" band received recognition; many talented musicians played in the orchestra. Skitch Henderson led the band from 1962 to 1966, and Carl "Doc" Severinsen played for Carson for an incredible 25-year period (1967-1992). Tommy Newsom (1968-1992) filled in for Severinsen when Doc would go on concert tours. Fred de Cordova was the producer of the "Tonight Show" and worked with Carson from 1970 to 1992.

He usually sat off-camera and gave cues to Carson.

Answer: the drums

Johnny Carson was supposedly a talented amateur drummer who genuinely loved jazz music. Legendary big band drummer, Buddy Rich, was a close friend to Carson, and Rich appeared several times as a guest on the "Tonight Show". Carson sometimes shone the spotlight on "Tonight Show" drummer Ed Shaughnessy in order to give the percussionist credit. Carson privately supported many other jazz musicians during his "Tonight Show" years.

Answer: Bette Midler

By 1992, Johnny Carson had grown tired of his "Tonight Show" work, and he decided to retire while he was still at the peak of his skills. Carson's last "Tonight Show" emcee appearance was on May 22, 1992. On that evening, he reminisced for the entire show, along with his close friends Ed McMahon and Doc Severinsen.

The night before, Carson had invited special guests Robin Williams and Bette Midler to appear on the program. In order to say good-bye to Johnny, Midler sang a slow and sweet version of the classic song, "One for My Baby and One More for the Road".

It was an extremely emotional farewell, and both Carson and Midler were in tears.

Answer: Alexis

Johnny Carson didn't have much luck in marriage: he was married to Joan Wolcott from 1949 to 1963, to Joanne Copeland from 1963 to 1972, and to Joanna Holland from 1972 to 1983. Carson sometimes joked that he didn't have to discard the bathroom towels- they would always read "JC." Carson finally got lucky with his fourth spouse, Alexis Maas. Carson and Alexis got married in 1987, and they stayed together until Carson's death on January 23, 2005.